With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace. She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town-a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville's latest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn't merely human. But is he a vampire-or something else entirely?

Rachel Caine is an evil, wicked author for what’s she has done to her characters—and by extension her readers—in LAST BREATH, the eleventh book in her crazy fun Morganville Vampire series. Not since GLASS HOUSES—which ended with with the decapitation of a main character—have I been as shocked by a book in this series…and yes, that means someone else very important dies.

I am continually amazed at how after so many books, the stories about Claire, Shane, Eve, Michael, and Morganville still feel fresh and exciting. What’s more impressive is that the stakes—pardon the pun—escalate with each book too. How Rachel Caine manages to top herself with each book, I’ll never know, but the reader in me is just thrilled that she does.

Vampire politics have become an increasingly pivotal plot point in the series overall, but like in previous books, there is a very personal storyline in LAST BREATH too, involving Michael and Eve’s impending nuptials. Not to mention the ever volatile relationship between Claire and Shane, who actually didn’t make me hate him even once this time. That’s a new record. There were also some very difficult realizations that Claire had to make about a different relationship. I am extremely excited about what this could mean for the future of the series.

As in the previous Morganville book, LAST BREATH isn’t told exclusively from Claire’s perspective. We get chapters from Shane, Eve, Michael, and even Amelie, the last of which was a little odd. I think I prefer her as the mysterious and aloof Founder rather than knowing her thoughts. But these new perspectives did provide TONS of answers about Morganville and it’s citizens, so I’m not complaining. I can only hope that we get a chapter from Myrnin next time. And there will be a next time. Rachel is under contract for at least three more books in The Morganville Vampires series. Up next is BLACK DAWN, which will be published in May 2012, and after the end of LAST BREATH…the series may never be the same.

One Response to “Early Review: Last Breath by Rachel Caine”

Hot Off the Press

About

Started in 2009, All Things Urban Fantasy is the place 'Where Para is Normal'. This your one stop for all things Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal YA, & Speculative Fiction titles. Want to know more about ATUF? Read the about page.

If you would like a book reviewed on this site please request a review. All inquires are welcome.

Support All Things Urban Fantasy!

Currently, nearly all of All Things Urban Fantasy's revenue comes from Amazon affiliate purchases. We use this revenue to keep the blog afloat. If you're a regular Amazon shopper, please consider using the link or search box and All Things Urban Fantasy will receive a percentage of your purchases. Thanks!

ATUF Rating System

Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.
Loved it! Buy it now & put this author on your watch list.
A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.
A few good points, but with significant flaws. Library/swap/borrow if you want.
I had to force myself to finish it. Fatally flawed on multiple levels.

Subscribe via email

Received for Review

FTC Disclaimer

Though All Things Urban Fantasy bloggers will sometimes purchase books for review, please assume that most books reviewed on this site were provided by the publisher or author in return for a fair and unbiased review.
Also, please note that our links to Amazon and The Book Depository are affiliate links, returning some of the percentage of any purchases you make to All Things Urban Fantasy.